Gov. Bill Richardson announced tougher regulations Thursday for serving minors and intoxicated people.
The new regulations allow the state to revoke a liquor license following three convictions for sales to minors, intoxicated people or a combination of both during a 12-month period. The old standard was five offenses. The regulations take effect Oct. 15.
It’s part of the governor’s effort to combat drunken driving.
“These are tough, but fair, regulations that put bars and restaurants on notice: If they serve liquor to minors, or if they serve liquor to people who are intoxicated, they risk losing their liquor license,”
The new regulations are sure to upset many, including Sen. Mary Jane Garcia, D-Doña Ana, and Rep. Joni-Gutierrez, D-Las Cruces, who opposed toughening the regulations, saying they would harm business owners.
Garcia owns a bar. The brother of Gutierrez owns a restaurant and bar.
The majority of bars follow the law, but there are a few bars in
Here’s a summary of the new regulations from the governor’s office:
· The state will revoke a liquor license for any establishment with three convictions for sales to minors, three convictions for sales to people who are intoxicated, or any combination of three citations from either category during a 12-month period. The old standard was five offenses. In addition to losing its license, a bar or restaurant will be fined $10,000 dollars.
· Changes the standard of evidence to allow police 90 minutes to secure a blood-alcohol-content reading or give a breathalyzer test. That is higher than the current one-hour period.
· Tightens rules to ensure that bar and restaurant employees are not allowed to drink alcohol on the job. There will be some exceptions, such as managers who need to taste drinks to evaluate customer complaints.